Galaxy Z Flip3 5G Vs Galaxy Z Flip4

Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:317.00

Versus €999.00 new

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Galaxy Z Flip4
Galaxy Z Flip4
Starting at

Refurbished price:288.00

Versus €1,289.99 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G, released in August 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4, launched in August 2022, are both foldable smartphones within Samsung's innovative Galaxy Z series. While they share the distinctive clamshell design, the Z Flip4 introduces refinements in performance, battery capacity, and camera capabilities, building upon its predecessor's foundation. Both devices operate on the Android platform, featuring Samsung's One UI for a consistent user experience.

Scores

Durability

The expected practical lifespan of these foldable devices is influenced by their release timeline, software support, and physical durability features.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G launched with Android 11 and was promised software updates up to Android 14. The newer Galaxy Z Flip4, released with Android 12, benefits from Samsung's commitment to provide four major Android OS updates, extending its support up to Android 16, along with five years of security updates. This means the Z Flip4 will receive software support for a longer period, offering extended access to new features and security patches.
  • Physical Durability: Both models feature an Armor Aluminum frame and are rated IPX8 for water resistance, meaning they can withstand submersion in fresh water but are not dust-resistant. The Z Flip3 utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus for its cover screen, while the Z Flip4 upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus+ for enhanced scratch and crack resistance on its cover display. The main foldable screen on both uses Samsung's Ultra Thin Glass, which is designed to be flexible. Some users of the Z Flip3 have reported issues with the screen protector or the screen itself cracking or bubbling over time with normal use.
  • Hinge Design: The hinge mechanism on both devices allows for the compact clamshell form factor. While the Z Flip4 features a slightly slimmer hinge, both designs aim to offer a robust folding experience.

Year of Release

2021

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

Yes

Yes

Performance

Performance differences between the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip4 are primarily driven by their internal components and battery optimizations.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G offers capable performance for everyday applications and multitasking, though some reports indicated potential performance throttling during extended demanding tasks to manage heat and battery consumption. The Galaxy Z Flip4 features an updated processor that delivers improved overall performance, allowing for smoother handling of demanding applications, more fluid multitasking, and enhanced gaming experiences with better thermal efficiency.
  • Battery Life and Charging: The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is equipped with a 3300 mAh battery, which many users found to provide average battery life, often requiring a recharge before the end of a full day, especially with heavy usage. It supports 15W wired and 10W wireless charging. The Galaxy Z Flip4 includes a larger 3700 mAh battery, which, combined with its more efficient processor, results in noticeably improved battery longevity, often allowing moderate users to get through a full day on a single charge. It also supports faster 25W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.
  • Storage and RAM: Both devices come with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for smooth multitasking. For internal storage, the Z Flip3 5G is available in 128GB and 256GB options, while the Z Flip4 offers 128GB, 256GB, and a larger 512GB variant.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip4 offer a similar visual experience with their innovative foldable displays.

  • Main Foldable Display: Both models feature a 6.7-inch Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X main display with a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels. This display technology provides vibrant colors and deep blacks. The adaptive 120Hz refresh rate on both devices ensures smooth scrolling and responsive interactions, adjusting dynamically to content to optimize power consumption.
  • Cover Screen: Each device includes a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover display with a resolution of 260 x 512 pixels. This external screen allows users to view notifications, check the time, control music, and access widgets without unfolding the phone.
  • Brightness and Clarity: Both displays offer high peak brightness levels, making them suitable for outdoor visibility. The clarity is consistent across both models, providing a sharp viewing experience for typical smartphone usage.
  • Crease Visibility: Due to their foldable nature, both phones exhibit a visible crease across the main display where the screen folds. While noticeable, many users find it does not significantly detract from the overall viewing experience, especially when the screen is active.

Resolution

1080 x 2640

1080 x 2640

Screen type

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Flip4 share a similar configuration, but the newer model brings notable enhancements to image capture.

  • Rear Camera System: Both devices are equipped with a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 12MP wide-angle lens and a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens. The primary difference lies in the main sensor; the Galaxy Z Flip4 features a larger main camera sensor with 1.8µm pixels, compared to the Z Flip3's 1.4µm pixels. This larger sensor allows the Z Flip4 to capture more light, resulting in improved low-light performance and overall better image quality, with enhanced detail and reduced noise.
  • Front Camera and Video: Both phones include a 10MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. For video recording, both models are capable of shooting 4K video. The Z Flip4 also benefits from software enhancements like 'Super Night Solution' and improved AI for photography, contributing to better results in various lighting conditions.
  • Audio Experience: Both the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip4 feature stereo speakers, providing a more immersive audio experience for media consumption and calls. Microphone quality is designed to be clear for calls and recordings.

Main camera

12 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience between the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip4.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth. The Z Flip3 5G uses Bluetooth 5.1, while the Z Flip4 features the slightly newer Bluetooth 5.2, potentially offering minor improvements in connection stability and efficiency. Both models utilize a USB-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer and notably lack a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: For secure unlocking and authentication, both the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and the Galaxy Z Flip4 incorporate a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is integrated into the power button. They also offer face recognition as an alternative biometric option.
  • Design and Handling: The Z Flip3 5G weighs 183g, while the Z Flip4 is slightly heavier at 187g. When unfolded, the Z Flip3 is marginally taller and wider than the Z Flip4, which has slightly more compact dimensions. Both phones maintain the clamshell form factor, making them highly portable when folded. The build materials include an Armor Aluminum frame for structural integrity.

Weight

183 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G and Galaxy Z Flip4 both offer a unique foldable smartphone experience, catering to users who appreciate a compact and stylish device. The Z Flip3 was praised for its innovative design, pocketable size, and the novelty of its folding screen. However, common criticisms often centered on its battery life, which many users found insufficient for a full day of heavy use, and some reported durability concerns with the main display.

The Galaxy Z Flip4, as a successor, addressed several of these points. Users generally commend its significantly improved battery life, which often allows for a full day of moderate usage, and its enhanced camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions. The Z Flip4 also offers a more refined overall performance. However, some users noted that while improved, the battery life still might not match that of traditional slab smartphones, and the absence of a telephoto camera was a frequent observation.

Users prioritizing a more compact and stylish device for moderate daily tasks, where battery life is not the absolute top priority, may find the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G to be a suitable option. Conversely, those who require better battery endurance, improved low-light photography capabilities, and a slightly more robust performance for demanding applications will likely find the Galaxy Z Flip4 better suited to their needs. Both models represent a distinct choice in the smartphone market, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be an eco-friendly alternative for either device.

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